The meaning of Independence is ‘NOT TO DEPEND ON OTHERS’. After a long struggle India gained its freedom from British rulers on 15 August, 1947. We Indians observed on this day only that it is a re-birth for our country. On the mid night of this day, British rulers handed the country back to its Indian leaders, ending a remarkable struggle that lasted for many years.
It was 15 August 1947, the historic date, on which sovereign India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru unfolded the tricolor flag of the nation on the glorious Red Fort. The day is significant in the history of India as bringing an end to the British colonial rule in India.
In February 1947, Prime Minister Clement Attlee announced that India would get its full governance control latest by June 1948.
But, people were becoming restless and it was becoming difficult for Britishers to put a stop to all this then.
So, Indian Independence Day was decided by the last Viceroy and first Governor General of India – Louis Mountbatten. He Chose August 15 since it was the same day that Japan surrendered in 1945 at the end of World War II.
In the book “Freedom at Midnight”, he shared that it was decided instinctively in a press conference.
Another interesting fact on why India celebrated Independence in Midnight rather than in the morning. When August 15 was announced, astrologers around India raised hue and cry that August 15 was not an auspicious day.
So, Indian Leaders arranged a compromise when the Independence Day was celebrated at Midnight – since a day under Hindu customs begins only after sunrise.
Background
The struggle for India’s Independence began in 1857 with the Sepoy Mutiny in Meerut. Later, in the 20th century, the Indian National Congress and other political organizations, under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, launched a countrywide independence movement. Colonial powers were transferred to India on August 15, 1947.
The Constituent Assembly, to who power was to be transferred, met to celebrate India’s independence at 11pm on August 14, 1947. India gained its liberty and became a free country at midnight between August 14 and August 15, 1947.
It was then that the free India’s first prime minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave his famous “Tryst with Destiny” speech. People across India are reminded of the meaning of this event – that it marked the start of a new era of deliverance from the British colonialism that took place in India for more than 200 years.
Partitions & Independence
This was not the end of India’s struggle for its Independence. As, the havoc broke out between various communities in India itself. Partitions were made for muslium majority regions for new India, the region was named as Pakistan where Muhammad Ali Jinnah took hold on the government as Governer General in Karachi on 14th August,1947. Where people were busy in celebrating the Independece day, massive bloodshed followed in divided punjab (sikh region) and Bengal- Bihar region. Around 1 to 2.5 lakh people died on both sides of the new border.
Celebrations
Independence Day is a day when people in India pay homage to their leaders and those who fought for India’s freedom in the past. Independence Day is a one of the three gazetted holidays in India. National, state and local government offices, post offices and banks are closed on this day. Public transport is usually unaffected as many locals travel for celebrations but there may be heavy traffic and increased security in areas where there are celebrations. Independence Day flag raising ceremonies may cause some disruption to traffic, particularly in Dehli and capital cities in India’s states.
The period leading up to Independence Day is a time when major government buildings are illuminated with strings of lights and the tricolor flutters from homes and other buildings. Broadcast, print and online media may have special contests, programs, and articles to promote the day. Movies about India’s freedom fighters are also shown on television.
Twenty-one gun shots are fired in the honor of the occasion. Indian National Anthem “jana gana mana” is sung. The speech is followed by the march past of various divisions of Indian army and Parliamentary forces. The President delivers the ‘”Address to the Nation” on the eve of Independence Day. India’s Prime Minister unfurls India’s flag and holds a speech at the Red Fort in Old Dehli.
Flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programs are held in the state capitals and often involve many government and non-government schools and organizations. Many people spend the day with family members or close friends. They may eat a picnic in a park or private garden, go to a film or eat lunch or dinner at home or in a restaurant. Other people go kite flying or sing or listen to patriotic songs.
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Main Attractions
The sport of kite flying symbolizes Independence Day. The skies are dotted with countless kites flown from rooftops and fields to symbolize India’s free spirit. Kites of various styles, sizes and shades, including the tricolor are available in the marketplaces. Tricolour flags are available in abundance everywhere in the Country. People wear tricolour wristbands, cap, clothes, etc in order to show the commitment towards their country.
The Red Fort in Dehli is also an important Independence Day symbol in India as it is where Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru unveiled India’s flag on August 15, 1947.
India’s national flag is a horizontal tricolor of deep saffron (kesaria) at the top, white in the middle and dark green at the bottom in equal proportion. The ratio of the flag’s width to its length is two to three. A navy-blue wheel in the center of the white band represents the chakra. Its design is that of the wheel which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka. Its diameter approximates to the white band’s width and it has 24 spokes.
When we look at the world on this day, we will see that not only in India this day is celebrated but also in many countries where there are majority of Indians are living (other than India) like New York and other US cities this day is observed as India Day, where Indian people and localities perform parades and perform on Indian songs and enjoy with each other happily.
